Supernatural Academy: Year One (Supernatural Academy #1)(6)

As we stepped closer, I saw there was a wide body of water completely surrounding it like a moat. I also started to make out more details in the stonework. There was a crest with M V F S in it, iron twisting around the edges, pushing it out from the wall. As I stumbled forward, desperate to be closer to this new world I’d found myself in, I kept noticing new details.

More initials carved into stones near the front bridge; ivy and rose trellises along the outer walls; huge stained-glass windows scattered across the stonework.

The building had a presence, a history about it that transcended normal buildings. It had experienced a lot of life. And it wasn’t just the building; there was a feeling in the air here. That same extra that I’d noticed in Ilia when she spoke with passion. It was like static electricity shocking me, sending tingles down my spine.

Ilia placed a hand on my arm like she was sharing this moment with me. “This is the Supernatural Academy,” she said proudly. “It was started in 1455 by a small community of supes in this area. They wanted a safe place for their children to learn about the world. It’s designed so that you go to supe junior school first and learn the basics: reading, writing, math, and so on. They also learn how to fit into the human world. Then, when you’re older, you advance your supernatural abilities at the Academy.”

I shook my head. “Why would you start so late though? I mean, why waste all the years in human schools and not learn supernatural stuff until you’re twenty-one?”

“Most of us don’t have strong energy or abilities until puberty or older,” Ilia explained. “I was seventeen, and most of the other supes I knew were even older. So there’s really no reason for advanced classes younger than that.”

“It’s also important for you to fit in with humans,” Mossie added, voice dry. “I mean, there’s no point in goblins, or most demi-fey, trying.” He waved a hand across his green, bumpy skin. “But the four other races, it’s fundamental to ensure our worlds remain safely connected.”

I guess that made sense.

“So no humans know about you … I mean us?”

“There are some,” Ilia said quickly. “We have Guilds that smooth our passage into the human world, and a few others are privy to the secret, but in general humans do not know.”

Mossie snorted. “Human brains can’t really process our truths without driving them crazy. Better this way.”

Having spent the past forty minutes trying to process it myself, I kind of understood the reasoning.

I turned my focus back to the school. “I can’t really believe this,” I said. “The rational side of my brain keeps trying to discredit what I’m seeing … create plausible excuses to explain away the weird.”

Mossie laughed, an odd bark. “The barrier let you in. There’s no doubt you’re supernatural.”

I still had doubts.

“I’m ready,” I lied, moving again. No one could be ready for this, but I was certainly ready to have my hands released. We crossed down a small incline, an expanse of thick green grass under our feet. “It’s not snowing or cold in here,” I noted.

It felt like a mild spring day, actually.

“Yeah, the weather changes daily in here,” Ilia said, her brows scrunching. “Which can be annoying if you’re trying to plan an outfit for an event.”

I coughed out a laugh before realizing she was serious. “Daily? Why the hell would anyone want weather that changes daily?”

She exchanged a glance with Mossie, shrugging. “There was a spell that went awry a long time ago, when they were trying to make it rain. And now all of us pay for it with the most erratic weather. In truth, there’s really no predicting anything within the school grounds.”

Good to know. Always comforting that I could be killed in my sleep by some random burst of magic. We crossed the wide bridge that led across to the front entrance, and I stared down into the sparkling blue waters. “Don’t ever go in there,” Ilia warned. I jerked my head up at her tone, curiosity holding me. I loved to swim. Loved it so much. But it had been a long time since I’d had the luxury.

“What’s in there?” I asked.

She shuddered. “Lots of things. Mermaids being one of the tamest creatures. Trust me, don’t go in there. It never ends well.”

Judging by her expression, the mermaids here were not like the ones depicted in the human world. I noted it on the list I was making in my head of things to explore further.

The double entrance to the first building we entered was huge. Twenty feet high, and almost that wide, it was both impressive and intimidating. Inside was an open circular room with light streaming in through the stone archways that crossed overhead. There were statues lining either side of us, each with a different creature carved into it. I didn’t recognize most of them, but there was a wolf, a bear, and a panther among them.

“Come on, we need to get to the princeps’s office,” Ilia said, linking our arms together again.

My stomach did a crazy swirl as I looked around. The entrance was deserted and I wondered where all the supernaturals were. Nerves almost locked my limbs in place at the thought that I’d soon see the different races she had mentioned. Vampires, shifters, fey, and witches were the stuff of fantasy novels. And scary movies.

“Where is everyone?” I asked, forcing myself to stop being a scaredy-bitch.